The boisterous narratives that have enveloped social media since the ‘history’ making outcome of the elections in Edo State are very resounding. For simple clarity, two pieces of history were made. Godwin, perhaps as indicated by Oshiomhole himself, won back to back with APC and PDP, and Ize-Iyamu, also lost back to back with PDP and APC. A kind of inverse relationship. Was Godwin really destined to win, and Iyamu destined to lose? It may be without further disputation that that is the pointer of history. Does it also mean a winner is a winner irrespective of the affiliations and circumstances? The answer to this may require further interrogation.
But beyond the euphoria of winning, what happens afterward should be more of paramount concerns. There seems to be a pattern of bad performances during the so much flaunted “second term” that one is skeptical if this Godwin’s victory will amount to better performance and ultimately improved living for the people of Edo state. If nothing else, this victory should imply that Obaseki should triple his performance over and above the first term. As much as that is expected, however, in a political terrain where there is already an alibi for nonperformance, what are we going to expect? Will COVID 19 and drip in finance not become an excuse not to perform? Was there anything concrete during the campaign by which we can even gauge performance? Or better still, are we already satisfy that some group of godfathers has been silenced and replaced with better ones?
As the people rejoice about this silent ‘revolution,’ they should not be carried away with the momentous gyrations from one of the leprous hands of the sickly political oligarchy. For many of us, this is just a transition from the living room to the “oza room,” and therefore, nothing fundamental had happened.
Will Godwin prove us wrong this time? Will he also win in governance and feasible dividends of democracy? Will his “Agaracha” not return to base after a while?
There is more beyond the victory.
Nigeria has not been weaned from the siege of the behemoths, as APC and PDP are, and is therefore far away from the taunted political Eldorado.
But Obaseki can change even if a little the trajectory of history. I doubt, though. What will happen to all those who ‘contributed’ to the victory? Will they be compensated. Or what is a voluntary service to just prove a point that a new power broker is in town? Will his hands not be tied to the apron of his ‘benefactors.’
Since we are asked to celebrate all little wins, we celebrate with Obaseki for his win. Na Godwin, indeed!
But how long will this celebration last?
To our beloved nation, eternal vigilance is demanded of you more than ever before.
How will the days, months, and years after today’s victory become?
©TheVillageBoy